Our Professional Team

Our Temple Sinai Staff

Ari comes to Temple Sinai after serving as Executive Director of Congregation Agudas Achim in Columbus, Ohio for 8-years.

A native of Rutland, Vermont, Ari received a B.A. in Hebraic Studies from Rutgers University and M.A. in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Following his graduate studies, Ari worked in the national office of United Synagogue Youth (USY) as national Kadima Director and subsequently Assistant Director for Education. After editing 8 sourcebooks for some of the leading educators in the Conservative Movement, Ari went on to work as Senior Editor at Behrman House. Following a stint as Director of Central Hebrew High School for the MetroWest Jewish Federation in New Jersey, he served as Director of Philadelphia’s Jewish Community High School of Gratz College (JCHS) for 10-years. In 2006, Ari was elected as founding President of the North American Association of Congregational & Community Hebrew High Schools (NAACCHHS).

Ari enjoys schmoozing with congregants and showing off his collection of bobbleheads from his favorite team - the Milwaukee Brewers. Ari and his wife Stacy live in Warrington and are actively involved in awareness and advocacy efforts for mitochondrial disease in memory of their daughter Rina, who died from the disease just after her 15th birthday. They encourage everyone to live by her mantra of “Love Life, Dream Big, Be Positive.”

Ari Goldberg, Executive Director

Sydnie Ciment, Early Childhood Education Director

Sydnie began her career over 10 years ago teaching religious school in college. What was supposed to be a job to add experience to her resume turned out to be so much more. It sparked her passion for Jewish education and engaging Jewish youth. She has taught classes on social action, Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), social justice and Jewish cooking to name a few. From her teaching she went on to run a successful youth program at a Reform synagogue where she oversaw the youth activities and high holiday teen programming . In addition she has worked as the program assistant for the Satell Teen Fellowship and at Gratz College teaching and overseeing their student council.

Most recently, Sydnie has found her excitement for early childhood education and young family engagement. Contributing that spark for Jewish education to our youngest community members is what helps strengthen their bond to Jewish community life and a lifelong connection to Judaism.

Sydnie is a graduate of Temple University with a BA in liberal arts and a focus on Jewish Studies. She is a state certified secondary education social studies teacher through Arcadia University and completed her student teaching at Cheltenham High School and spent many years subbing at Perelman Jewish Days School teaching kindergarten through 5th grade, English as a second language, and learning support.

Sydnie's other passions include cooking, art, being outside in nature and spending time with her family, husband Jared, and children Sloane, Dylan, and Dolly.

Edy Israel, Director of Administration and Community Relations

Edy Israel has worked in the Jewish Community in different capacities since her college days. Although she loved giving tours of historic Philadelphia dressed as Betsy Ross, she felt her work here was much more fulfilling and began working in the Temple Sinai Office in 2009. The favorite part of her day is seeing the smiling preschoolers walk down the hall and wave hello (although she does love to say hi and help anyone that needs her assistance).

Edy is a New England transplant and lives in Bucks County with her husband and their 2 young daughters.

Marcy Lyons Gohen, Accounting Manager

Marcy has worked in the Accounting Department since the spring of 2002, after serving on the Executive Committee as Treasurer for almost two years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Prior to working here, Marcy worked for a local accounting firm for almost twenty years. She enjoys spending time with their eight grandchildren.

Ellen has her Bachelor Degree in Accounting and has worked in the Temple Sinai Accounting Office since 2012 and also works as an assistant to our Preschool Director .She enjoys arriving every day at the same time as many of the preschool children, they bring so much joy and wonder into the building!It is also so relaxing walking in as the Minyan is concluding their service with a prayer. Ellen lives with her husband and dog in Upper Moreland and has two adult children.She has enjoyed meeting and getting to know the members of Temple Sinai.

Ellen McGrother, Accounting

Miriam began her career in early childhood over ten years ago working as a CIT in a preschool program. What was a short term summer job turned into a lifelong career in jewish education. Miriam has taught in both a preschool and religious school setting. This has set her up to take on her newest role as Educational Administrative Assistant.

Miriam holds her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) and Associate Degree in Liberal Studies. She is currently working on her Bachelors Degree for Early Childhood Education at Drexel University.

Miriam's other passions include antiquing, at home DIY projects, baking and spending time with her husband Tom, daughters Kaidence, Harliegh and Lennon and two dogs Thor and Corona.

Miriam Jacobson, Interim Director of Religious School and Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education

Josh has been working in synagogues since he was 14 years old! He believes in the value of a strong Jewish education and its power to build communities. Josh graduated from PennState University with a degree in Labor and Employment Relations. Josh is currently working on completing a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Gratz College. He currently works full time as a disability rights advocate for The Arc of Pennsylvania, where he works to support families and the greater community with issues of employment, education, and community inclusion for people with disabilities. In addition, Josh serves as Co-founder & Director of The Next Step Programs, a nonprofit that works to educate our communities, and advocate for people with disabilities as they transition out of high school. Josh is thrilled to be rejoining the Temple Sinai community as a Religious School Teacher after working in the past with students with disabilities at Temple Sinai, and assisting in both the tutoring and enrichment programs, as well as being a teacher's assistant.

Josh Fields, Sinai High Administrator & Educational Consultant